Why you need dedicated ski insurance

A basic travel medical policy is designed for an ordinary holiday. Insurers treat active sports, including alpine skiing and snowboarding, as higher-risk: if the sport is not listed in the policy, an injury on the slope may not be an insured event. That is why for a ski trip you need to select the right sport in the calculator — then the policy covers falls, fractures, sprains and the related costs.

Which option to choose in the calculator

In the polisre.ru calculator winter sports are split into several options:

  • Alpine skiing on marked pistes — classic skiing on groomed slopes.
  • Snowboarding on marked pistes — the same for snowboarders.
  • Freeride — riding off marked pistes, separately for skis and snowboard. It is riskier, and if you plan to leave the pistes, choose this option.
  • Freestyle — tricks, snow parks, jumps.
  • Cross-country skiing — a separate sport, not the same as alpine skiing.

Competitions are insured under separate options. If you are entering an amateur race, select this when getting a quote.

Useful options on the slopes

  • Search and rescue — if you have to be found or brought down the mountain.
  • Helicopter evacuation — in the mountains this is sometimes the only quick way to get an injured person to hospital.
  • Third-party liability — in case you accidentally injure another skier or damage someone's property.
  • Accident cover — a payment for injury on top of medical costs.
  • Baggage insurance — for expensive equipment on the flight.

Pay special attention to alcohol. Many programmes exclude injuries sustained while intoxicated. The calculator has an "Alcohol intoxication" option, but it is safer simply not to ski after mulled wine.

Dates and other activities

Enter the dates of the whole trip in the policy, not just the skiing days: the insurance should apply on the way and on days when you rest without skis. If you plan other activities on holiday — mountain trekking, snowmobiling, paragliding — select them separately in the calculator: cover applies only to the sports listed in the policy.

And remember basic safety: a helmet, properly adjusted bindings, skiing within your ability and on open pistes. This lowers the risk of injury, and with it the chance of spending your holiday in a clinic instead of on the slopes.

Where people go skiing

The policy works at any resort within the chosen territory. Popular destinations include the Alps in Schengen countries (Italy, France — a visa and a policy of at least EUR 30,000 are required), Georgia, Serbia, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Japan, and during the southern hemisphere winter, Argentina.

How to choose the sum insured

Treating fractures and mountain rescue are expensive, so for a ski trip it makes sense to choose more than the minimum. On a Schengen visa the policy must cover at least EUR 30,000 (see insurance for a visa), but for the slopes people more often choose EUR 50,000 or more. If you often go to the mountains for weekends, consider an annual policy with the same sport.

What to do if you are injured on the slope

Report the fall to ski patrol or resort staff, then call the assistance company using the number in your policy. The operator will refer you to a clinic the insurer works with. Do not pay for treatment or rescue yourself without approval, and keep documents, X-rays and receipts. Step-by-step instructions are in the "Insured event" section.

How to buy a policy at polisre.ru

  1. Open the travel insurance calculator and choose the country and dates.
  2. In the "Sport" section, select alpine skiing or snowboarding — on pistes or freeride.
  3. Add the options you need and compare offers from 16 insurance companies — quotes and purchase run through Polis Re's partner, the Cherehapa service.
  4. Fill in your details and pay. The policy arrives by e-mail and is issued by the insurance company you choose.